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Satellites capture how the lights have gone out in Syria Satellites capture how the lights have gone out in Syria
(10 days later)
Syrians have been plunged into darkness, literally, over the past four years of war, according to satellite images suggesting the effect of mass refugee flows and the extent of damage caused to the country’s infrastructure.Syrians have been plunged into darkness, literally, over the past four years of war, according to satellite images suggesting the effect of mass refugee flows and the extent of damage caused to the country’s infrastructure.
Images analysed by #WithSyria, a global coalition of humanitarian and human rights organisations, have revealed that 83% of lights have gone out since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad erupted in March 2011.Images analysed by #WithSyria, a global coalition of humanitarian and human rights organisations, have revealed that 83% of lights have gone out since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad erupted in March 2011.
Related: A chance to save Syria that world leaders must seize this week| Letter from David Miliband, Philip Luther and others
Taken from 500 miles above the Earth, the satellite images have permitted a comparison of night-time light levels in March 2011 and in February 2014. The changes are the result of the energy infrastructure being devastated, as well as the impact of people fleeing or hiding from bombardment.Taken from 500 miles above the Earth, the satellite images have permitted a comparison of night-time light levels in March 2011 and in February 2014. The changes are the result of the energy infrastructure being devastated, as well as the impact of people fleeing or hiding from bombardment.
The analysis was conducted by Dr Xi Li of Wuhan University in China, whose team found that the night-light loss showed a linear correlation with the number of people internally displaced from each Syrian province.The analysis was conducted by Dr Xi Li of Wuhan University in China, whose team found that the night-light loss showed a linear correlation with the number of people internally displaced from each Syrian province.
“Four years since this crisis began, Syria’s people have been plunged into the dark: destitute, fearful, and grieving for the friends they have lost and the country they once knew,” said David Miliband, president and CEO of the International Rescue Committee. “Four years since the crisis began, there is at present very little light in this tunnel. Over 200,000 people have been killed and a staggering 11 million have been forced to flee their homes.“Four years since this crisis began, Syria’s people have been plunged into the dark: destitute, fearful, and grieving for the friends they have lost and the country they once knew,” said David Miliband, president and CEO of the International Rescue Committee. “Four years since the crisis began, there is at present very little light in this tunnel. Over 200,000 people have been killed and a staggering 11 million have been forced to flee their homes.
“Syrians deserve much better from the international community – it is past time to show that we have not given up and will work with them to turn the lights back on.”“Syrians deserve much better from the international community – it is past time to show that we have not given up and will work with them to turn the lights back on.”
Related: UN plan to resettle Syrian refugees in northern EuropeRelated: UN plan to resettle Syrian refugees in northern Europe
In the worst affected areas, such as Aleppo, 97% of the lights have gone out. The exceptions are the provinces of Damascus and Quneitra, near the Israeli border, where the decline in light has been 35% and 47% respectively.In the worst affected areas, such as Aleppo, 97% of the lights have gone out. The exceptions are the provinces of Damascus and Quneitra, near the Israeli border, where the decline in light has been 35% and 47% respectively.
The #WithSyria coalition is releasing a hard-hitting film and has launched a global petition at withsyria.com that calls on world leaders to “turn the lights back on in Syria” by boosting the humanitarian response inside the country and helping the more than 3 million Syrians who have fled to Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq.The #WithSyria coalition is releasing a hard-hitting film and has launched a global petition at withsyria.com that calls on world leaders to “turn the lights back on in Syria” by boosting the humanitarian response inside the country and helping the more than 3 million Syrians who have fled to Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq.
Zaher Sahloul, president of the Syrian American Medical Society, said: “The rise of terrorist groups crossing borders has spread fear and focused the world’s attention on Syria – but it has distracted governments from the suffering of ordinary Syrians and the abuses committed by all sides.”Zaher Sahloul, president of the Syrian American Medical Society, said: “The rise of terrorist groups crossing borders has spread fear and focused the world’s attention on Syria – but it has distracted governments from the suffering of ordinary Syrians and the abuses committed by all sides.”